School Mobile Device Policy

5 September 2024

Dear parents,

As you have been informed by the school management, our school has adopted a revised Mobile Devices policy, which will apply for all cycles from the start of this school year.

This policy is part of the Good Behaviour Policy and was adopted following discussions in the Working Group set by the school management, including teachers, pupils and parents.

The APEEE has been involved from the very beginning in the discussions and participated in the Working Group created by the School management to discuss and take into account the positions of all actors. The final version of the policy comprises most of the comments made by the APEEE in line with the results of the survey launched amongst parents last March, where more than 1500 replies were received. There has been an excellent collaboration with the representatives from the School management, teachers and pupils.

 

According to the Mobile Devices Policy:

The use of mobile devices is forbidden for all pupils in the nursery and primary cycle, as well as in S1, S2 and S3. If parents/legal representatives decide to give their child a mobile device for any reason, it needs to be kept switched off and in the school bag during school hours. The device can only be switched on at the end of the school day, once the pupil is outside the school buildings and in the school grounds to check if an important message has been sent.

For pupils in S4, S5, S6 and S7, mobile devices are allowed only in the following designated areas:

LOCATION

FORBIDDEN

ALLOWED

In class

X

 

In laboratories

X

 

School playgrounds and outside areas within the school campus.

 

X

Gym/Changing Rooms

X

 

Corridors

X

 

Library

 

X (for study purposes)

Canteen

X

 

Cervantes (Study Room)

 

X (for study purposes)

Cafeteria

 

X

Study Room (Etude) S4 to S7

 

X (for study purposes)

In places where the use of mobile devices is prohibited, they should be turned off or put into silent mode in the pupil’s bag or locker. It is strictly always forbidden to film, take, distribute, share, or stream pictures and/or videos on school premises or in activities linked to the school such as school trips and outings.

Pupils are not allowed to use mobile devices in class (e.g., for checking the time, texting, calculator, etc), unless for pedagogical reasons with the approval of their teacher. Pupils are not to wear headphones, earphones, or air pods, during or between lessons, for reasons of safety and courtesy.

If a pupil (nursery, primary, S1-S3) is in breach of the above-mentioned rules, they will be asked to handover their mobile device to an EEB3 member of staff. The device will be given to the Assistant Deputy Director and will be placed in a bag with the pupil’s name and class.  The same will apply to any S4, S5, S6 or S7 pupil who makes use of a mobile device in an area where it is not allowed.

You will find below a detailed overview of the sanctions foreseen in case of failure to respect the rules regarding the use of mobile devices:

Action

Consequence/Sanction

First offence of using a mobile device where it is not allowed.

Confiscation of mobile device which is taken to the Assistant Deputy Director Secondary’s office (ADDS).
It is to be picked up by the pupil at the end of the same day. The end of day means at 16.15.

Second offence of using a mobile device where it is not allowed.

Confiscation of mobile device which is taken to the Assistant Deputy Director Secondary’s office (ADDS).
For a whole week from the day of confiscation, it is to be dropped off in the morning and picked up at the end of the day by the pupil from the ADDS office.
The end of day means at 16.15.

Third offence of using a mobile device where it is not allowed.

Confiscation of mobile device which is taken to the Assistant Deputy Director Secondary’s office (ADDS).
The pupil’s Parents are informed, and they need to agree a time with the ADDS or delegate when to come and pick up the phone.

Repetitive use of mobile device (more than three offences)

Implementation of Good Behaviour Policy as this is considered a serious infringement of the school rules.

 

Please read through the attached school policy and make sure that your child understands the new regulations and is aware of the consequences before signing the pupils’ code of conduct.

The matter is of utmost importance for the entire school community and follows an ongoing debate all over Europe on screen time and social interactions in school premises. While the issue might spark difference of opinions as regards what is allowed and what is not, we all want the best for our children.

Kind regards,
Your APEEE
 

EEB3-Mobile_Devices_Policy-EN.pdf